Apparatus for stowing rock in a coal mine



T. E. PRAY June 18, 1940.

2,205,124 APPARATUS FOR STOWING ROCK IN A COAL MINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 12, 1938 innuiiisw June 18, 1940. T. E. PRAY APPARATUS FOR STOWING ROCK IN A GOAL MINE Filed Nov. 12, 1938 3'Sheets-Sheet 2- June 18, 1940;

'T. E. PRAY 2,205,124

APPARATUS FOR STOWING ROCK IN A COAL MINE Filed Nov. 12, 1938 3 Shets-Sheet s Patented June 18, 1940 UNITED STATES APPARATUS FUR ST'OWING ROCK IN A COAL MINE.

Thomas E. Pray, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Goodman Manufacturing Gompany, Chicago, 111., a

corporation of Illinois Application November 12, 1938, Serial No. 239,902

Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for stowlng rock in a coal mine.

In mining coaLand particularly in driving entries in thin, coal seams, the entry is frequently driven in the coalseam for its full width and rock in the central part of the entry is either shot down from the top or taken up from the bottom to increase the working height of the entry. The cost of removing this rock from the i mine is such that the rock is usually stowed or gobbed in. the low portion of the entry, where it may form a support for the roof. This stowing operation is usually done by hand at a considerable expenditure of time and money. Al-

though it has heretofore been attempted to use conveyors to stow the rock, they have never been successful, especially where the roof must be held up by props, for the reason that the average loading machine must move back and forth along 30 the track a considerable distance during the gathering operation in order to gather all of the loose material from the ground, and it has been difficult to get the conveyer between the props and permit it to collect and distribute the material gathered by the loading machine while the loading machine is moving back and forth along the track, since the props permit only a limited amount of movement of the conveyer along the track.

I Theprincipal object of my invention is to' remedy this situation by providing a conveyer for stowing material between the props in the low portion of the entry, which follows a loading machine as it moves back and forth along the track to gather the mined rock, and which is controlled in a novel manner so that it may move with the loading machine and not interfere with the props and so that movement of the loading machine along the track will distribute the ma- I terial which is being stowed. Other objects of my invention will appear from time to time as the following specification proceeds and with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a view in side elevation of a loading machine having a gobbing apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention coupled thereto;

Figure 2 is an enlarged plan view of the rear part of the loading machine in a mine entry showing the gobbing apparatus positioned for discharging the rock in the entry between the p p Figure 3 is an enlarged view in side elevation of the gobbing apparatus with certain parts broken away and shown in substantially longitudinal section;

Figure 4 is an enlarged plan view of the gobbing apparatus with the conveyer disposed at right angles to the track and with certain parts '5 broken away and shown in horizontal section in order to more clearly illustrate certain details of my invention; and

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Referring now in particular to the drawings, the embodiment of my invention illustrated is shown as including a track mounted truck Iii which is coupled to the rear end of a loading machine It by means of a rigid coupling member i2 and coupling pins l3, l3.

The loading machine H may be of any type well known to those skilled in the art'and is herein preferably shown as being a track mounted loading machine having a gathering element and elevating conveyer M at its forward end for picking up the loose material and discharging it onto a discharge conveyer Iii, extending rearwardly beyond the rear end thereof. As herein shown, said discharge conveyer extends over the truck Ill a substantial distance so it may discharge material into a gobb ing conveyer ll, pivotally mounted on said truck.

Referring now in particular to the details of the gobbing conveyer ll and its support on the i truck Ii), said truck includes a frame I8 mounted on track wheels and axles, generally indicated by reference characters i9, i9. Said truck frame may be weighted to counterbalance the overhanging effect of the conveyer, and is provided with a forwardly projecting portion 20 which extends forwardly beyond the front track wheels and axles a substantial distance. Said for-- wardly projecting portion is provided with a boss 22 at the central portion of its forward end, in 40 which is mounted an upwardly projecting vertical shaft 23 (see Figure 3). An arm 24 having an integral bearing boss 25, is mounted on said shaft. The arm 24 may extend rearwardly along the truck frame l8 to a position closely adjacent, 4'5 but spaced forwardly of the rear track wheels,

and said arm forms a pivotal support for the gobbing conveyer IT.

The gobbing conveyer I1 is mounted on the arm 24 on a vertical shaft 26 which is journaled 550 on said arm adjacent the rear end thereof. Said shaft has a plate 21 secured to its upper end which forms a support for said gobbing conveyer .(see Figure .3). Said plate is provided with a pair of parallel spaced upwardly projecting sup- 55 port members 29, 29, each of which has an inwardly projecting bearing member 30 mounted therein. Said bearing members are adapted to have transverse bearing supporting engagement with parallel spaced side frame members 3!, 3| of the conveyer.

The upper edges of the side frame members 31, 3| are outwardly flared to retain material on the conveyer and the forward flared portions of said side frame members extend to a greater height than the rear portions thereof and are connected together at their forward ends by an inclined plate 32. The forward portions of said side frame members together with said plate may thus form a hopper for receiving and stowing material discharged by the discharge conveyer I5.

Any suitable means may be provided to effect vertical adjustment of the gobbing conveyor I! about the axis of the bearing members 30, 30 or hold it in various positions of vertical adjustment with respect thereto. The adjusting means herein shown includes a hand wheel 34 which may be threaded on a shaft 35 pivotally connected to the rear end of the plate 27 and which may have operative connection with a sleeve 36 pivotally connected at its upper end to the frame for the conveyor IT. The details of said hand wheel, shaft and sleeve are not herein shown or described since they are of an ordinary construction and are no part of my present invention.

The material carrying parts of the conveyor 5! include a pair of spaced endless chains 31, 31 having spaced apart flights 39, 39 mounted therebetween at suitable intervals therealong. Said chains are trained around idlers 4U, 46 at the forward end of the conveyer. From thence they extend rearwardly along the conveyer frame along a bottom plate 4i of the conveyer, mounted between the side frame members 3|, 3!, to and around idlers 42, 42 at the rear end of the conveyer. They then extend forwardly beneath the plate 2!, over drive sprockets 43, 43, and under tension rollers 44, 44, to and around the idlers 40, 4E]. The drive sprockets 43, 53 are secured to a transverse shaft d5 journaled in the sides 3!, 3! of the conveyor frame and having a sprocket 46 secured to the outer end thereof, which forms a drive member therefor.

The means for driving the drive sprocket 46 includes a motor 41 mounted on an extension 48 of the plate 22' and a chain and sprocket drive if having drive connection with a transverse shaft 50. Said shaft is journaled at one of its ends in a bearing 5| mounted in the bearing member 30 and is journaled at its opposite end in a bearing 52 mounted in a bearing support member 53. Said last mentioned bearing support member is mounted in a support member 54 spaced outwardly from the support member 29 and extending upwardly from the plate 21.

A chain and sprocket drive indicated by reference character 55 serves to operatively connect the transverse shaft 50 with the drive sprocket 46 for driving said sprocket from said motor.

The conveyer [1, being mounted on the arm 25 for free movement with respect thereto in a horizontal plane, which arm is also adjustably movable in a horizontal plane, may be adjustably swung about two parallel spaced vertical axes. Said conveyer may thus be manipulated about said axes so as to be extended between the props to the side of the track Where the props are positioned close to the track, in an obvious manner. A locking pin 56, adapted to engage any one of a plurality of apertures 51, 51 on the top of the truck frame, is provided to lock the arm 24 from movement with respect to the truck frame during the gobbing operation.

Referring now in particular to the novel and simplified linkage arrangement for causing the loading machine I l to swing the gobbing conveyer back and forth between the props, as said loading machine is moving back and forth along the track to pick up the loose material from the ground, a link 58 is provided to control movement of said conveyer. Said link, as herein shown, is pivotally mounted on a jack 59 which is interposed between the mine roof and floor in a usual manner. The end of said link opposite from said jack is provided with a depending pin 60 which is adapted to extend through a slot 6| formed in an outwardly projecting horizontal leg 62 of an angle 63, secured by its vertical leg to the outer side frame member 3i of the conveyer. Said vpin is herein shown as being held from upward movement with respect to said slot by means of a washer and cotter pin generally indicated by reference character 64. A collar 65 is adjustably mounted on the jack 59 beneath the link 58 to limit downward movement of said link and to permit said link to be adjusted to varying heights of the conveyer.

Referring now in particular to the use and operation of the device of my invention, the truck Ill may first be coupled to the loading machine by means of the rigid coupling member 12 to move therewith. The necessary props may then be removed from the low portion of the entry to permit insertion of the gobbing conveyor therein, and the locking pin 56 may then be disengaged from the respective aperture 5'! to permit the arm 24 to be swung about its pivot laterally beyond the side of the truck opposite from the side that the conveyer is to be extended, and to permit the conveyer I! to be adjustably swung about its axis of pivotal connection to said arm and be extended between the props remaining in place and be positioned roof and floor, with the link 58 pivotally connected thereto, and slidably and pivotally connected to the slot 6| to control swinging movement of the conveyer and cause the loading machine ll to swing said conveyer back and forth during gathering movement of said loading machine. Material may thus be continuously discharged into the gobbing conveyer l1 and discharged by said conveyer into the low part of the entry and distributed therealong by the action of the loading machine as it moves back and forth along the track picking up the loose material from the ground.

While I have herein shown and described one form in which my invention may be embodied, it will be understood that the construction thereof and the arrangement of the various parts may be altered without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Furthermore, I do not wish to be construed as limiting myself to the specific embodiment illustrated, excepting as it may be limited in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a gobbing apparatus and in combination with a loading machine, a truck, a coupling between said truck and loading machine for moving said truck upon movement of said loading, machine, a conveyer pivotally mounted on said truck and adapted to receive material discharged by said loading machine and be extended between roof supporting props in a working place at substantially right angles with respect to the loading machine for stowing mate-rial therein, and means for anchoring one end of said conveyer to cause said loading machine to swing said conveyer backwardly and forwardly to distribute the loose material upon gathering movement of said loading machine.

2. In a gob-bing apparatus and in combination with a loading machine having a rearwardly extending discharge conveyer, a truck mounted beneath the rear end of said discharge conveyer and a. rigid coupling member connecting said truck to said loading machine for moving said truck upon movement of said loading .machine, a conveyer pivotally mounted on said truck and having a receiving end disposed beneath the discharge end of said discharge conveyer for receiving material discharged thereby, said conveyer extending beyondsaid truck and being adapted to be extended between the roof supporting props in a working place at substantially right angles with respect to the loading machine, and an anchoring member having pivotal connection with said conveyer to cause said loading machine to swing the discharge end of said conveyer backwardly and forwardly for discharging and dis tributing material in the gob during backward and forward movement of the loading machine during the loading operation. 4

3. In a gobbing apparatus and in combination with a loading machine having a rearwardly tending discharge conveyer, a truck mounted beneath the rear end of said discharge conveyer and a coupling member connecting said truck to said loading machine for moving said truck upon movement of said loading machine, a conveyer pivotally mounted on said truck and having a receiving end disposed beneath the discharge end of said discharge conveyer for receiving material discharged thereby, said conveyer extending beyond said truck and being adapted to be extendedbetween the roof supporting props in a working place at substantially right angles with respect to the loading machine, and anchoring means for the rear end of said conveyer to cause said loading machine to swing the discharge end of said conveyer backwardly and forwardly between the props for discharging and distributing material in the gob, during backward and forward movement of the loading machine during the loading operation including a link mounted for pivotal movement about a fixed axis at one of its ends and having pivotal and slidable connection with said-conveyer at its opposite end.

4. In a gob'bing apparatus and in combination with a track mounted loading machine having a rearwardly extending discharge conveyer, a track mounted truck disposed beneath the discharge end of said discharge conveyer, a coupling member coupling said truck to said loading machine for movement therewith, a gobb-ing conveyer pivotally mounted on said truck and having a receiving end adapted to be disposed beneath the discharge end of said discharge conveyer for receiving material discharged thereby, said conveyer being pivotally mounted on said truck for swinging movement about one axis and for adjustable movement about an axis spaced therefrom in such a manner that it may be extended between roof supporting props in a working place at substantially right angles with respect to the loading machine, and anchoring means for the end of said conveyer opposite from said truck to cause said loading machine to swing said conveyer about its axis of pivotal connection to said truck during backward and forward movement of the loading machine along the track while loading.

5. In a gobbing apparatus and in combination with a track mounted loading machine having a rearwardly extending discharge conveyer, a track mounted truck disposed beneath the discharge end of said discharge conveyer, a rigid coupling member coupling said truck to said loading machine for movement therewith, a gobbing conveyer having a receiving end disposed beneath the discharge end of said discharge conveyer for receiving material discharged thereby, means for mounting said conveyer on said truck for swinging movement about one axis during the gobbing operation and for adjustable movement about a pair of spaced vertical axes for permitting said conveyer to be extended between roof supporting props disposed closely adjacent the mine track and positioned at substantially right angles with respect to the track to permit said conveyer to swing backwardly and forwardly in the space betweensaid props during the gobbing operation, and anchoring means to confine the path of swinging movement of said conveyer and to cause said loading machine to swing said conveyer back and forth during the gathering operation including a link having pivotal connection with said convyer adjacent the rear end thereof. a

6. In a gobbing apparatus and in combination witha track mounted loading machine having a rearwardly extending discharge conveyer, a track mounted truck disposed beneath the discharge end of said discharge conveyer, a rigid coupling member coupling said truck to said loading machine for movement therewith, a gobbing conveyer having a receiving end disposed beneath the discharge end of said discharge conveyer for receiving material discharged by said discharge conveyer, means for mounting said conveyer on said truck for swinging movement about one axis during the gobbing operation and for adjustable movement about a pair of spaced vertical axes for permitting said conveyer to be extended between roof supporting props disposed closely adjacent the mine track and positioned at substantially right angles with respect to the track, to permit said conveyer to swing backwardly and forwardly in the space between said props during the gobbing operation, and anchoring means to confine the path of swinging movement of said conveyer and to cause said loading machine to swing said conveyer back and forth during the gathering operation including a jack interposed between a mine roof and bottom in fixed relation with respect thereto, a link having pivotal connection with said jack at one of its ends and having pivotal connection with said discharge conveyer at its opposite end.

7. In a gobbing apparatus and in combination with a track mounted loading machine having a rearwardly extending discharge conveyer, a track mounted truck disposed beneath the discharge end of said discharge conveyer, a rigid coupling member coupling said truck to said loading machine for movement therewith, a gobbing veyer having a receiving end disposed beneath the discharge end of said discharge conveyer, means for mounting said conveyer on said truck for swinging movement about one axis during the gobbing operation and for adjustable movement about a pair of spaced vertical axes for permitting said conveyer to be extended between roof supporting props disposed closely adjacent the mine track and positioned at substantially right angles with respect to the track to permit said conveyer to swing backwardly and forwardly in the space between said props during the gobbing operation, and anchoring means to confine the path of swinging movement of said conveyer and to cause said loading machine to swing said conveyer back and forth during the gathering operation including a jack spaced from the track towards the rib of the working place and interposed between a mine roof and bottom and held in fixed relation with respect thereto, a link pivotally connected to said jack at one of its ends and having pivotal and slidable connection with said discharge conveyer at its opposite end.

8. In a gobbing apparatus and in combination with a track mounted loading machine having a rearwardly extending discharge conveyer, a track mounted truck disposed beneath the discharge end of said discharge conveyer, a rigid coupling member coupling said truck to said loading machine for movement therewith, a gobbing conveyer having a receiving end disposed beneath the discharge end of said discharge conveyer, an arm pivotally mounted on said truck adjacent the forward end thereof and adapted to extend rear wardly along said truck, means for locking said arm from movement with respect to said truck and a pivotal connection between the opposite end of said arm and said gobbing conveyer permitting swinging movement of said conveyer about one axis during the gobbing operation and permitting adjustable swinging movement of said conveyer about a pair of parallel spaced axes to enable said conveyer to be extended between roof supporting props closely adjacent the mine track at substantially right angles with respect thereto and permitting said conveyer to swing backwardly and forwardly in the space between said props during the gobbing operation, and anchoring means to confine the path of swinging movement of said gobbing conveyer during the gobbing operation and to cause said loading machine to swing said conveyer back and forth while gathering material including a link having pivotal connection with said conveyer adjacent its rear end.

9. In a gobbing apparatus and in combination with a track mounted loading machine having a rearwardly extending discharge conveyer, a track mounted truck disposed beneath the discharge end of said dischargeconveyer, a rigid coupling member coupling said truck to said loading machine for movement therewith, a gobbing conveyer having a receiving end disposed beneath the discharge end of said discharge conveyer, an arm pivotally mounted on said truck adjacent the forward end thereof and adapted to extend rearwardly along said truck, means for locking said arm from movement with respect to said truck and a pivotal connection between the opposite end of said arm and said gobbing conveyer permitting swinging movement of said conveyer about one axis during the gobbing operation and permitting adjustable swinging movement of said conveyer about a pair of parallel spaced axes to enable said conveyer to be extended between roof supporting props closely adjacent the mine track at substantially right angles with respect thereto and permitting said conveyer to swing backwardly and forwardly in the space between said props during the gobbing operation, and anchoring means to confine the path of swinging movement of said gobbing conveyer during the gobbing operation and to cause said loading machine to swing said conveyer back and forth while gathering material including a link having pivotal connection with said conveyer adjacent the rear end thereof at one of its ends, and having pivotal connection at its opposite end with a jack interposed between the mine roof and bottom, at a point spaced from said track.

10. In a gobbing apparatus and in combination with a track mounted loading machine having a rearwardly extending discharge conveyer, a track mounted truck disposed beneath the discharge end of said discharge conveyer, a rigid coupling member coupling said truck to said loading machine for movement therewith, a gobbing conveyer having a receiving end disposed beneath the discharge end of said discharge conveyer, an arm pivotally mounted on said truck adjacent the forward end thereof and adapted to extend rearwardly along said truck, means for locking said arm from movement with respect to said truck, and a pivotal connection between the opposite end of said arm and said gobbing conveyer permitting swinging movement of said conveyer about one axis during the gobbing operation and permitting adjustable swinging movement of said conveyer about a pair of parallel spaced axes to enable said gobbing conveyer to be extended between roof supporting props closely adjacent the mine track at substantially right angles with respect thereto and permitting said conveyer to swing backwardly and forwardly in the space between said props during the gobbing operation, and anchoring means to confine the path of swinging movement of said gobbing conveyer during the gobbing operation and to cause said loading machine to swing said conveyer back and forth while gathering material including a jack spaced from the track towards the rib of the working place and interposed between a mine roof and bottom and held in fixed relation with respect thereto and a link pivotally connected to said jack at one of its ends and having pivotal and slidable connection with said discharge conveyer adjacent the rear end thereof.

THOMAS E. PRAY. 

